CCTV Report: Mexico City Metro Fare Increase

Here is the third and final clip from the recent series CCTV did about the Mexico City Metro. This one deals with the fair increase which came into effect late last year. The 2 peso (15c) increase, elevating the cost of a ride on the system to 5 pesos, doesn’t seem like much but when considered as a percentage increase (66%) it is a steep rise.

Metro authorities surveyed passengers prior to the fare increase, asking whether they would be prepared to pay more if it resulted in a more efficient metro system and better service. The survey results, with a majority responding ‘yes’ were used as a justification for the rise. Many believe the results were doctored.

The video explores the daily reality of millions of Mexico City residents who work in low-paying jobs or in the informal sector, for whom the price increase is most sharply felt. Unsurprisingly a protest movement emerged and for a few days, but especially on the day the higher fare came into effect, protestors jumped the turnstiles. A social media campaign gathered under the title #posmesalto which means, I’ll just jump. The facebook page has almost 150,000 likes.